GARDEN CENTER • ARBORETUM • BOTANIC GARDENS
Don’t miss the Artisan Market on Sept. 19th!
We are now closed on Sundays for the rest of the season.
Welcome!
Hornbaker Gardens, Inc. is a family owned and operated nursery located five miles southeast of Princeton, Illinois. Our large collections of hostas, daylilies, trees and shrubs, grasses, aquatics, annuals, and other perennials draw plant enthusiasts from not only the Midwest, but from all across the country.
WE DELIVER AND PLANT
Children's Garden
The children’s garden area was created in memory of our beloved Kathy Hornbaker. It consists of a large, sloped, grassy play area where kids can be kids.
Garden Tours
Every year we host many garden clubs and tour groups. We are happy to greet your group upon arrival and provide a history and overview of Hornbaker Gardens.
Hornbaker Highlights
10 Stunning Perennials for Shade
Brighten Low-Light Areas with these 10 stunning Perrenials
Not every garden basks in full sun. Some spaces live in soft morning light, beneath tall trees or beside north-facing walls where shadows linger long after the day has brightened. These corners may seem quiet, even challenging, but they hold a magic all their own. Shade gardens invite a different kind of beauty—calm, textured, and endlessly intriguing. This is where some of our favorite perennials shine.
Hosta ‘Halcyon’: 2026 Hosta of the Year
Hosta ‘Halcyon’ has earned its place in the spotlight as the 2026 Hosta of the Year, and it’s easy to see why. This classic blue hosta is prized for its thick, heart-shaped leaves in a rich steel-blue tone that holds its color well throughout the growing season. With a tidy, medium-sized habit and excellent slug resistance, ‘Halcyon’ is both beautiful and reliable in the shade garden.
The Jane Morris Pollinator Paradise at Hornbaker Gardens
In 2023, we embarked on a mission to reimagine our entrance garden—and the results have been nothing short of transformative. Thanks to the thoughtful design work of Garden Designer Jane Morris, this once-simple space has evolved into a stunning pollinator’s paradise, brimming with color, texture, and life from early spring through winter. To honor Jane’s contributions to Hornbaker Gardens over the years, we have decided to name this work of art after her, The Jane Morris Pollinator Paradise.
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Annual Artisan Market
Join us in our beautiful country setting for a day filled with 40 fine artists, craft beer, delicious home baked items, live music, wine tasting, fresh-picked local produce, local lunch fare, hands-on community art experiences, and more. Saturday, September 19, 2026 – 10am to 4pm. Free Admission.
Gift Certificates Available
The perfect gift for any gardener
